Argentina - October 20, 2014

So to begin with, I am sorry, I was going to send pictures but, well, I left my camera at the apartment on accident, and that is like 2 miles away; we already have to walk a lot.  It was awesome to talk to you guys, I loved it! And things are getting better here, I am getting used to it. I've got to say though, I am in a different world. Not one thing is the same, and they don't like anything that is American, so there is nothing from America really. We got interviewed by our president today, he is a great guy, I love him and his wife a lot. I can't wait until I learn Spanish well so I can fully comminicate to bless the people lives. I love them, they are wonderful;  so kind and humble and all very religious. Other than them drinking, not wearing much clothing, and smoking all the time, they are wonderful! It is my favorite part of the day just talking to and meeting new people. I have a testimony that this work is real and that God loves everyone. I love you all!  Say hi to everyone and give them my love and the savior's love, because he loves all of you so much! Mom, you are the best and I am grateful every second of every day that God sent me to you. I love you, and will be your son in this life and the next.

Love Elder Grover

P.S. So we might have 4 baptisums this week, we fasted for them so we will just have to see if everything works out.  We also have a wedding this week. I will tell you all about these experiences next week. I love you, always have and always will. Be safe this week, keep God in your thoughts and everything will be okay. Tell McKady she has to wait until I am home before she can talk to boys! Love you all, say hi to dad for me and him that I love him too.  And tell Tamra to take care of my nephew!

Indiana - October 20, 2014

Good morning, or afternoon, or whenever you get this!

Things are good here! By the sound of how warm it is where the Elder Grover down south is, it makes me kind of want to switch him places! And hey,  with not understanding anything, you won't ever know if people on the street yelled something negative or positive. Maybe that just a US thing though, or a mid-west think, but I'm pretty sure it happens all over. He will do well though, the first little bit is really rough, but you know, when I thought I could not go one second longer, God always sent me a little something to tell me He was still there at  that time, then you start to enjoy it! I do have to admit though, the language thing would be a rough one for me! I still believe God knew I couldn't handle it and that it why He sent me stateside. But Jens is a tough did, he can do it. And the Lord does make up for the rest after we do all we can do! Things are good here I'm excited for this week because we get to go to the temple; what could be better than that, right? So that should give me a boost to keep me going through this changing weather. I guess we will just have to wait for summer to come again, it always has in the past, right? I hope things are good at home. Thanks for all you do! I am so grateful to have wonderful parents who live the gospel and set a good example! Love you much!

Love Elder Jade Grover 

Argentina - October 14, 2014

Hola mom,

This last week has been the longest of my life. . . Spanish is really hard and I don't understand a thing, but I am trying. It is so different here, like, there is not one thing the same, it has been a total culture shock. But I just have to have faith the Lord will help me. I was good in the MTC, but here I'm  kinda homesick, I miss you guys a lot! One thing I have noticed is how blessed we really are, and how humbling this experience is going to be. I didn't expect it to be this different, I'll just have to take it one day at a time. There is a lot I want to tell you, but I want you to know that I am safe. My trainer is great, he is from San Diego, and his Spanish is really good - but he can talk English too, so we are good there. We have taught some lessons and the people are nice and friendly, so that is good. They can understand me, but I can't understand them. So tell everyone to write me! Everything just needs to go the the mission home.  Give the address to Kay Jones too because she always sends nice letters. I am serving in Fermosa, Argentina right now, it is a city but our area is pretty poor. They say this is the hottest area in the mission, and it is going to be summer soon so it is super hot! But it is good, I like it, I just need to be patient with Spanish and let it come, because it will someday. Oh, on Sunday it is Mother's Day in Argentina, so I get to skype you on Sunday between like 1 or 5, not sure yet, so send me your skype account. There are a lot of dogs here, and it is just different. I want you to know how much I love you, more than this world will ever know! You are great mom, just keep having faith in our Lord and Savior, and I will too. Tell everyone I love them and miss them.

Love Elder Grover

So yeah, be by the computer on Sunday and I will call skpe sometime. Love you! I attached some pictures of the Black River Resitenceia and Buenes Aires Airport, hope you get them.

Indiana - October 13, 2014

Good afternoon!

Things here in Indiana are going pretty well, I think! The branch seems to be really excited, we were finally able to get the super solid family to church! I guess the branch didn't really think that they where as solid as we told them they were! And they said they really enjoyed church.  I was really worried that the small branch would turn them off, the kids anyways, but they seemed to enjoy it. Later in the day they actually went to a baptism in Muncie as well. It kind of worked out, they had family pictures in Muncie just before, so after pictures they just met us at the stake center. It was a good baptism too, it was in the YSA branch, her name is Fara; I can't even try to put her full name, she was actually muslim, I thin it was a super choice. She has been investigating the church for 2 years now, and she decided that this is what she needed to do. That has to be a scary thing to do! But anyways, it was a very good weekend! Guess what, Friday I even had the opportunity to go in a Nazarene Church! Yeah, it was pretty cool, Mike and Alisha (the Family) invited us to be their guests for the Preschool Fundraiser dinner there! But anyways, I'm doing well! Thanks for all you do, I hope all goes well this week! Love you Mom! and everyone!

Love Elder Jade Grover

P.S. So Jens is officially out of the country? Crazy, Crazy!!!

Indiana - October 6, 2014

Wasn't Conference Great? It's crazy to think that the next time I watch conference I will not be a Missionary, it's been so long, it will be weird watching it as a regular person! I probably will enjoy being able to watch it at home though, which will be weird too because out here we have to push really hard to get people to come to the church to watch it.  We do that to build more unity with the Branch, but we couldn't even get them to come when we had big lunch in between sessions on Sunday! The Branch president was frustrated with all those that still wouldn't come, but you only can do what you can do! So you don't know if Jens is going to Argentina or Oklahoma? That is pretty cool that he got set to go to a mission that was already part of the family missions, and then it makes it even funnier that his companion was going to Jesse's old mission, ha! It will be a cool experience either way. I don't think it's a bad thing to see how US missionary work is before you head out; but hey, I don't know because all I know is US missionary work! With the cross country thing, if I was there I would have a word with this coach, is Steve still coaching the boys?  Anyways, but for sure, I hope McKady is all pumped to have Coach Grover for the summer, it's going to be fun :) But yeah, anyways I haven't heard anything about plans of coming home, I guess it might be different here. When I killed off Elder Graff his plans came while I was with him, and that was his last transfer! That is so weird to me that Landon already has his! So, nothing from the mission ever, huh? Well, I guess you could try to get a hold of them. They are very nice, but very busy, numbers and stats are very big here! But yeah, I have no idea if how I'm getting home. I think I should be flying home about the 21st of January though, as to how the transfers line up! But anyways all is well here. Thanks for all you do, Love you Much!

Love, Elder Jade Grover

P.S. Candice's package made it safe, thank you!

And at the last minute . . .

Elder Grover's VISA went through!!!  So on October 6th, he boarded a plane, headed for Argentina!  We love you Jens!!!  Hope all goes well!

MTC - September 26, 2014

MTC - September 30, 2014

The MTC has gone way, way to fast! That is awesome that JD got to experience baptism, it is amazing, and I am sure you did great on your talk, mom!! So, well, I guess I will break the news now.. I didn't get my flight plans.. that is because I have not yet received my visa. Out of the 22 missionaries going to Argentina only 3 got their visas. So I got a reassignment. I guess I could not tell you and you would not know where Iam at.. ha;) You will never guess where I am going though . . . I am kinda excited, like a lot!  My companion is going to Sac town (Jesse's mission), I was so excited for him. You better have guessed where I am going by now. It is the most craziest experience I have ever had, it was like reopening my call again. And now I get to serve 2 missions. . . oh, and I didn't get the oils yet. I hope everything is okay there with the family. We are outside a lot - west campus is awesome. I will send pictures of where I do most of my studying. Oh, and they are closing west campus - we are the last ones that get to be here the whole 6 weeks. For exercise I go play volleyball, which is intense, I love it! And then recently we played soccer with elders from another district; it gets intense and I am getting better. I do work outs,  like push ups and stuff every morning, and you will be glad to know that I have the cleanest, most organized area. I guess all those years of you  getting after me are paying off finally. We have gone to the temple every week, it is awesome and I love it so much. Spanish is good, it will just take time. I am understanding more when someone is talking and when I read it. Oh, we need like more chips and salsa and powder donuts and any good food you can send. But remember, it isn't the last package I can receive because I will be in states for awhile. I can call on the day I fly out, but I don't know when that is yet because I still could get my visa in the next couple of days. So, are you still curious as to where I am going? Okay, I will tell you, Tulsa Oklahoma (Jordan's mission) . . . can you believe that? I am shocked still! I am so excited though!! God wants me there for some reason, I do not know it yet though. I will call when I fly out.  I love you mom, a lot, more than a lot! Peace be unto your soul for God loves you, and I promise you I am in the hollow of his hand.

Love Elder Grover

WEST CAMPUS

Isn't it beautiful?

Enjoying my time studying

And enjoying the company too, ha!

My companion and I with Sister Heidi Hiatt and her companion

Where in the world will I go to wait for my visa???

Ah man, Tulsa OK . . .

just kidding, I am so excited to go to Tulsa, OK!

My companion and I with our intermediate calls

Life is good!

Just waiting on visas . . . 

Indiana - September 29, 2014

Hello there Family!

Wops... I was planning on putting the address at the bottom of the my last Email :) I Guess I'll put it at the top of this one so I don't forget it again. You know if my head wasn't attached, I would have a hard time keeping track of that.

Address:

503 S. Main St. Apt.#4

Winchester, IN 47394

 

So yeah, things a going well, slowly getting used to this place, and boy, I thought Greenville was a small branch, well this little place has it beat! At least Winchester had a whole ton of less actives, well here there is a lot more less actives than actives! But it is crazy how much smaller it is. My companion is good, Elder Stradling, he most definitely keeps me on my toes! I don't know why I get put with these ADHD comps, but I guess it is just because I am just patient with them, now I wish I could believe that . . .but I'll keep telling myself that anyway! Anyways, he likes to work and talk to people, so that is good. We are working with an awesome family though, a couple with 3 daughters, ant they get all hyper when we come over. Alisha, the mother, claims us as part of the family. It was really cool the other night, we went over the plan of salvation with cut outs, and then their Grandma came in and the girls taught it to her, and she was very accepting of it, it was cool. Oh, and we are going to be able to go to the temple at the end of the month, so that is exciting. So if you wanted you could send my temple stuff out, but I also am going home soon so I can always just borrow a member's. But thank you so much for all you do, and continue to do, for me! Love you Mom!

Love Elder Jade Grover   

P.S. Man, they always go to the fun races after I can't run anymore!  Or awhile after anyway, but I would have loved a course like that!  That sounds way better than the parks they run in here . . . you just can't beat the west:)

MTC - September 23, 2014

Mi mama mucho ama para usted:) Thanks for the email, there is so much I want to say but I am not good at typing and my English is so bad right now - it is a mix of Spanglish. But mama, yo ama it here with all of my heart. Never have I felt so good and felt the spirit so strong. It is hard and stressful, but beyond amazing! I love waking up and putting on my name tag, it is a part of me and I never want to take it off. Thanks for the pictures, I hope McKady had fun playing powder puff.  That is so cool, would have been cooler if she got 12... Tell Mike if you get the chance that it is the scariest thing ever, but once you stop and think about it you realize how amazing it is and how much the spirit is here. So all but 2 elders in my district are going to the same mission, so si my companiero is going with me and we are great friends, ha! Like we are tight, and I am tight with everyone, I love it! So we will get our flight plans on Friday, so I am not sure what my schedule will be. This last week 5 elders that were going to Argentina got their plans and only 1 got his visa, so we will see. But I love you mom, and God loves you very much! I will write a letter to give you more details,  ha! Tell JD happy birthday. And send me addresses to my siblings so I can at least send letters on their birthdays. Oh, and send me their birthdays too. I love you mom, a lot, you are the best mom ever, and God is so proud of you. And I will send a letter, it is easier to write. I love you!

Love Elder Grover

Indiana - September 22, 2014

Good Morning!

Well I guess they can't decide whether God wants me in Ohio or Indiana! I actually was only moved a to a bordering area of my last one, just on the other side of the state line. It is a smaller branch, and at one time it was actually part of the Greenville branch, that was until they wanted Indiana in Indiana stakes and Ohio in Ohio stakes. But man I hate it, right when I get to like a place, I'm moved and all I want to to is go back to my last area! The weather changing probably isn't helping out either, but I guess that is just a part of life. I really wouldn't mind the hot and humid days to come back, and possibly to stay forever! Anyways, it sounds like its been a crazy week with high schoolers and all the fun they are around! That is super funny about Jesse saying the down stairs is just for boys, he is just a little jel-us, sorry don't know how to spell that :) But anyways, sounds fun! It is always so good to hear from you Mom, thanks for all you have done for me and do for me! I Love you! God be with you always!

Love Elder Jade Grover